Zagato 2L TC oil filter housing gasket failure
Posted: January 24th, 2007, 8:25 pm
Hi Everyone:
well, my newly rebuilt engine is back in the shop after about 5 minute of happy driving.
Started the car and examined the gauges, all OK. Warmed it up for a minute on high idle and drove out at a reasonable clip.
Soon, I was zippng downhill on the freeway at about 70KPH in 5th gear when all of a sudden the cockpit filled with smoke.
Quickly I looked down to my instrumentation, OIL LIGHT ON, PRESSURE GAUGE 0psi or abouts.
Engine did not sound abnormal as all this was occuring.
I quickly pushed on the clutch and shut down the engine.
Glided safely to the L side of the road.
Called my rebuilder, he got me a tow truck.
It is in the shop now being repaired.
Supposely the paper gasket broke, fasteners where not loose.
This is a known Fiat/Lancia engine rebulder in my hometown, he does very good work.
Gasket set is common kit for complete engine.
Replacement gasket will be metalic/asbestos - not paper and will be sealed with some aircraft quality goop (as before).
I think that gasket will outlive the car - hopefully that will be a long time!
Question:
what would cause the gasket to break apart?
usual suspects:
Kinks in gasket, poor material, manufacture defect, sealent either did not cure, or bad sealent.
Note: This engine has higher compression / forged pistons which one could pickup at the usual parts houses which specialize in Fiat/Lancia/Alfa etc.
am running 10/40 for breakin then go to 20/50 on the 500 mile retune.
My rebuilder will put it all back today and drive the car as before.
I hope to have no further surprise issues for the next 200K miles of operation.
BR,
Paul
well, my newly rebuilt engine is back in the shop after about 5 minute of happy driving.
Started the car and examined the gauges, all OK. Warmed it up for a minute on high idle and drove out at a reasonable clip.
Soon, I was zippng downhill on the freeway at about 70KPH in 5th gear when all of a sudden the cockpit filled with smoke.
Quickly I looked down to my instrumentation, OIL LIGHT ON, PRESSURE GAUGE 0psi or abouts.
Engine did not sound abnormal as all this was occuring.
I quickly pushed on the clutch and shut down the engine.
Glided safely to the L side of the road.
Called my rebuilder, he got me a tow truck.
It is in the shop now being repaired.
Supposely the paper gasket broke, fasteners where not loose.
This is a known Fiat/Lancia engine rebulder in my hometown, he does very good work.
Gasket set is common kit for complete engine.
Replacement gasket will be metalic/asbestos - not paper and will be sealed with some aircraft quality goop (as before).
I think that gasket will outlive the car - hopefully that will be a long time!
Question:
what would cause the gasket to break apart?
usual suspects:
Kinks in gasket, poor material, manufacture defect, sealent either did not cure, or bad sealent.
Note: This engine has higher compression / forged pistons which one could pickup at the usual parts houses which specialize in Fiat/Lancia/Alfa etc.
am running 10/40 for breakin then go to 20/50 on the 500 mile retune.
My rebuilder will put it all back today and drive the car as before.
I hope to have no further surprise issues for the next 200K miles of operation.
BR,
Paul